Venice Primitive Shelters

On earth we, humans, are the only species with consciousness.
We are organizers of our own life, but is it us who is in control?
Or are digital inventions and devices like the internet controlling our lifes?

Think about it, how often do you check your phone?
Can we survive a day without digital technology?
Unconsciously we are distracted by the digital world around us, it has become an addiction.
An addiction which prevents us to be in the moment of our activities.
Instead of embracing the presence, we are concerned about the likes on facebook.
To find true meaning of life we have to go back to the essence.

According to Laugier the primitive hut is an abstract concept, it is an imaginary “house”.
The primitive hut is an emblem of material construction, well-being and the art of dwelling. Trees as columns, foliage as a roof canopy, a simple frame for living, where the user fills the space.

The primitive hut is a good example of the essentials of architecture.
Nowadays architecture is obsessed with form and image, instead of essentials and functionality. In creating a shelter the only elements we need are columns and roofs.
Preferable a simple construction which is demountable and sustainable.
A primitive shelter for living, where we are not distracted.

Between Mazzorbo and Venice is an abandoned island.
Everyday multiple boats sail between those two islands.
The ruin on this abandoned island is seen from a distance.
Nature took over the ruin however architectural remnants are still dominating the site.

This ruin will be transformed to a retreat for people who want to escape.
At arrival the people will leave their digital devices on the boat.
The differences of water height are around one metre, changing four times a day.
The island is slowly disappearing because of the currents.

Transformation of ruin.

The existing ruin will be the starting point for transformation. Between the existing walls an unit for one person will be realized. A total of twenty units will be available, a concept-like an hostel. Every person has the essential needs for living.

In the existing window on ground floor a sink will be placed.
Instead of looking in the mirror every morning, you look out over the water.
A curtain can be closed to have more privacy, for example when sleeping.
On ground floor there is a shared kitchen in the middle.
On sunny days a fabric ‘roof’ can protect inhabitants against strong sunlight.
A ladder will go to the second floor, where fruits, herbs and vegetables grow.
The whole construction (including plants) is demountable and wouldn’t affect the existing ruin.

Concept of primitive shelters.

30 unique primitive shelters are distributed around the ruin.
Every shelter has its own activity ranging from cultural, sports, intellectual and leisure activities. In the example above it is a primitive shelter for a cultural activity painting.

Not time but nature decides the amount of time spend at a primitive shelter.
The floor level of a shelter is at an height of +1.50 meters above average sea level, meanwhile the paths are at +0.50 meters, therefore at high tide the paths will be under water and you will be stuck at a shelter. In this case the person has to focus on one activity until low tide arrives.
People become more conscious about time and activity, without being distracted by digital devices.